Travelling for business can be a pain for any parent. I dealt with this first-hand when I recently went away for work. I honestly was in knots just thinking about how things might fall apart in my absence; but then I got my mind right and devised a plan. And while not foolproof, it definitely eased the travel jitters and tears for all parties involved.

Do a dry run of the schedule: Routines are essential in our household, especially since so many people have so much to do at any time of the day. It's really has become a well-oiled locomotive and I am the conductor 99.5% of the time. Getting my mom to spear-head the chauffeuring to and from extracurricular activities, as well as oversee the at-home stuff (i.e. reading time, signing practice sheets, etc) really helped to have #myguyshii see her as the stand in caregiver and authority while I was away. Doing a dry run can help to avoid any tactics such as "kidnipulation" or temper tantrums that may occur when someone else steps into execute daily schedules.

Leave a love letter: On the day that you are leaving take a little extra time to pen a written note to your your one letting them know that you are going to miss them while you are gone, but will be back soon. Throwing in a factoid or two about your destination can also ease the angst and make your little human feel like they are going to. For instance, the last trip that I went on I left a letter for my son in the mailbox letting him know where I was going, how I was getting there and when I was coming back. I also asked him to think of some questions that he wanted me to answer about the place I was visiting; and asked him to look up 5 interesting facts about my destination so we could compare when I got home.

Reach out daily: Face Time is a Godsend whenever I go away. It gives me the chance to interact and get some quality face-to-face with Shii. He also feels less tense about me being away because he's actually seeing my face and/or hearing my voice. Go one step further and designate some time to read a bedtime story or watch a show so you can have some special bonding time, just like when you are at home.

B at the Eternal Flame on Parliment Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Go site seeing: ​Try and find some time to get around the city you're in. While I can totally relate to the hectic schedule that you may have when you are there for professional reasons, finding the cool places and popular tourists attractions can make you a superstar with your kids. I suggest making a virtual storyboard or video of what you saw while you were on the move so you can share it with your bambino when you get home. It'll also be cool yo get them excited and possibly plan a trip to that spot for pleasure rather then business. After all, all work and no play makes mom a dull girl!

When preparing what I would wear for Essence Fest, I visited 2 of my favourite consignment shops in the city: Play it Again Val’s located in Ajax, and Plato’s Closet in Scarborough. I was able to find some easy flowing pieces that would be great in the Nola heat and fit perfectly in my carry-on luggage.

Floral Kimono- PlayitagainVal $12

Finding this kimono was everything for me. I really wanted to find a fun piece that was colourful and really made a statement! I decided to pair a teal dress I had in my closet; and it was the perfect combination. Also, the kimono was perfect for the venue as the Superdome was a bit chilly. Kimonos are a great accent piece to customize any outfit choice seeing as they are so multifunctional and can be found in a multitude of colours and patterns.

Dress- Value village $6

For my next OOTD, I went back to my closet. About 2 years ago , I bought this black-and-white dress, but never got a chance to wear it. The tags were still on so it was like shopping in my own store and scoring a killer deal. I knew this dress would be easy breezy as I walked to and fro from the convention centre. And as much as I love colour, I also live for black and white; so I didn’t mind going to the other side of the colour spectrum.

Romper- Plato’s Closet $10

I absolutely adore rompers. They will never be out of style for me. With so many ladies rocking stripes since Spring, I was glad I found this piece for an awesome deal. The fit and quality of the fabric were on point and I had the perfect pair of sandals that complemented the jumper for a chic nighttime vibe. Overall my outfits for Essence Fest were a hit: fashionable, functionable, and affordable. Don’t be afraid to check out your local consignment store. You’ll find some really unique pieces, perfect for any event.

​Tough, optimistic, neat, enthusiastic, intelligent, and loving were the adjectives used to describe me from my eldest daughter.

I haven’t always been big on celebrating birthdays but once I turned 30, something shifted. I started to reflect more, and appreciate more of what life had to offer and realized that I had to make the most of each and everyday.